Fuel gauge reads funny

[ddbyrd3]

I have a 2002 Glastron GX205, with a 5.0GL-B motor. The last trip out, when the fuel gauge got to 1/2 tank it started bouncing from empty to 1/2 tank. Even when I stopped the boat, and sat in calm water it would occasionally bounce. I cleaned the ground wire, and replaced the fast on connectors coming from the sender, is there anything else I need to consider?? I haven't had the boat in the water since.

 

[gm280]

Well it was a good idea to clean the contacts at the sender unit, but do the same at the gauge and make certain the supply wires (positive and negative or ground) are good a well... Actually sounds like a loose wire and that is the reason for the bouncing... JMHO!

 

[ddbyrd3]

I will check it out, thanks..

 

[GA_Boater]

It also might be normal. As the tank empties, the fuel sloshes around more and varies the fuel level. Does it bounce on the trailer?

Is this a new problem?

 

[ddbyrd3]

I have had the boat since 2004, and it has never bounced like that before. That's why I figured I would start with the contacts and the ground on the sender. They were pretty corroded that why I went ahead and replaced the fast on connectors, and really cleaned the ground lug.

 

[GA_Boater]

After the fact I thought about asking if this is a new problem. Possibly the float on the sender is going bad.

 

[ddbyrd3]

That's what I was thinking as well.. But I wanted to at least make sure the connections were not the root cause. I wont have the boat back in the water until mid June unfortunately. I was happy to see that the connections to the sender were pretty corroded, so we will see. Thanks for the advice..

 

[ddbyrd3]

Everything was tight and in good order at the gauge.. So it is either the connections I replaced and cleaned, or simply the sender is going bad..

 

[GA_Boater]

You can remove the sender and see if you get smooth gauge movement as the float is raised and lowered.

 

[ddbyrd3]

After cleaning the contacts, the fuel gauge read fine all the way down to 1/8 of a tank.. thanks guys..

 

[GA_Boater]

Thanks for the follow-up, DD. We hardly ever hear if our ideas helped. Go boating!